Alma 45: Alma's Farewell

Book of Mormon Student Study Guide, (2000), 132

When did you last have an interview with your father or with a priesthood leader? Before passing the records and leadership on to his son Helaman, Alma interviewed and blessed him. Look for how Helaman’s interview compares with those you have received. Notice the important instructions he was given and how difficult his calling would be.

President Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “It is a very reasonable thought to believe that both Moses and Alma, like Elijah and John [the Revelator], were translated to accomplish some work which the Lord had in store for them at some future day” (Answers to Gospel Questions, 5:38). When righteous individuals are translated, their bodies are changed so they are not subject to mortal pain or death. Sometimes translated beings are taken from the earth without experiencing death in order to fulfill the Lord’s purposes. Translated beings, however, will undergo a future change as they pass from a translated state to a resurrected state.

An Interview with Alma

Give Your Opinion

Summarize the important prophecy that Alma asked Helaman to keep secret.

2.

Write your opinion as to why the prophecy needed to be kept secret.

3.

What does this prophecy teach us about Alma's ability to prophesy and see the future as a gift from God?

Translated Beings

Read Alma 45:18–19, the statement by President Joseph Fielding Smith in the “Understanding the Scriptures” section for Alma 45:18–19, and the information in the Topical Guide under the heading “Translated Beings” (pp. 534–35). Write at least three truths you learned about translated beings from each of those three sources.